Misc questions.

[Leandre]

Hi guys, some random question wondering if you help me some, thanks.

1: on a 30"T talk running 6bulb T5 And kessil A360 on a mix reef, how high should I have the lights?

2: what kind of lights are you guys running on the refuge?

3: I've just bought some live rock and want to start a freah, I'd read about using a acid bath to clean. Are their Any other methods I could use and achieve the same outcome?

4: If acid is the best bet what would be the ideal way to do this? Tap water clean > fill with tap water > treat water for chorlene > add acid > wait > add baking soda?

5: where do you guys mix your salt? Cus my garage is really hot most of the time and don't have room inside the house for a mixing station. What are my options?

Thanks for all the help guys

 

[Smite]

1. Probably depends on your rockwork and coral placement. 30" is tall so Id place them as low as possible while still beimg able to get in and maintain the tank.

2. I've used the 6500-7000k led flood lights they sell at Lowe's. Worked great. I also order some of those cheap Par38 grow bulbs on amazon and they worked as well for chaeto and dragons breath xenia I had in my sump. I still have them sitting in the garage (no longer have a fuge) so come get them.

3. Acid eats the outside layer of rock. Helps to remove the phosphates stored on the outside as well as some dead matter. Bleach the rocks first to really pull the dead crap off.

Nothing beats curing your rocks to remove phosphates that are deep inside. Soak it in rodi and change the water as you see phosphates elevate. No need to use saltwater in that step.

4. Looks good. I'd bleach, soak and then do the steps above. After I'd spray the rocks off really well and set out to dry or start the curing process.

5.in my garage. It gets hot but I let it mix for a day. Then place a fan over the surface at night in the summer. Water change in the am before it heats up.

 

[Leandre]

Thanks for the reply, so 8" would be an ok height to mount or lower like 6"? I don't plan to have the rock structure too high. Maybe like 20-22" high on the 30". Rock wise. I'll do the bleach thing' that will get rid of anything alive? Push comes to shove I can don the acid path, just wondering what other options are their.

For the salt water part. If I did the mixing in the garage. Waited 24hrs then realised after that 2g had evaporated would I be able to just add 2g fresh water or would I have to wait another 24? Now I'm wondering how much would a 220g evaporate during a day at 76 house?

Once again, thanks for the reply. So much to learn lol

 

[Reeferfourlife]

Only fresh water evaporates. So just add fresh water. Also after you mix the water, just use a lid to cover it to minimize the evaporation. Not a lot is lost. Check you salinity before the water change. You will know after a few water changes to mix the right salinity level to compensate the lost.

 

[Leandre]

Only fresh water evaporates. So just add fresh water. Also after you mix the water, just use a lid to cover it to minimize the evaporation. Not a lot is lost. Check you salinity before the water change. You will know after a few water changes to mix the right salinity level to compensate the lost.

oh ok, this helps alot, now to find space for this.

New Question.. what is the quietest return pump for a 220g? im looking at the Siccie 16, Super Dart/Snapper Gold Hybrid 4300/2400 GPH - Reeflo and i just dont know.. all i know is, im not throwing money at a red dragon. thanks again.

 

[Reeferfourlife]

I heard the ecotech m1 or L1 is really quiet.

 

[newtothis]

Vectra L1 would be a good option or even a aqua excel dc10000 would be an economical option. Any gold series reeflo would be ideal too, if you like external and can deal with a mild hum to the motor.

 

[russ13]

Are you used ng a closed loop system?? Is your pump in or out of the sump?

 

[Leandre]

I heard the ecotech m1 or L1 is really quiet.

i didnt really think about this pump, idk...i do like vortech but i find every reason not to get them, take powerheads. for the tank size i have i have options between 4xwav, 2xgyre or 2xmp60 and im always leaning away from the mp60s. be it the price, or placement...im just funny ><

Vectra L1 would be a good option or even a aqua excel dc10000 would be an economical option. Any gold series reeflo would be ideal too, if you like external and can deal with a mild hum to the motor.

i think i could deal with the slight hum, with two kids (4 and 1yr old) its never really quiet in the house. this is more of a request from the wife. and having no reference on how "quiet" quiet is its hard to make good judgement. i dont really have any preference on AC/DC internal/external. i want something that reliable, quiet as possible and around 4000-4500GPH. i recently bought a used reeflo and was surprised how quiet it was, up until that point i was getting a Sicce HF16 now im hmmmmm'ing...

Are you used ng a closed loop system?? Is your pump in or out of the sump?

not using a closed loop, havent decided on what powerheads to use yet and i have an acrylic sump. nothing has been setup so all options are open. But i do know im running a manifold from this pump and return. from that, a separate refugium and a GFO/Carbon reactor.

thank for the help guys ^^